Hubei to start driverless bus services

Hubei province will become the first place in the world to have driverless bus services this month, according to information from the local economy and information technology commission.

Services will be launched in selected areas using electric vehicles developed by Dongfeng Xiangyang Touring Car Co and the Beijing Institute of Technology.

The commission said the buses are undergoing final testing in Shenzhen, Guangdong province.

According to the information provided, the vehicles are 6.7 meters long and can carry 25 passengers. Their maximum speed is 40 kilometers an hour, and they can travel 150 km on a fully charged battery.

Each has driverless and manual modes, and is equipped with laser radar, millimeter-wave radar, cameras, GPS and other sensors to help with braking, turning and parking.

Compared with conventional buses, the autonomous vehicles save power and space, and have a longer service life, the commission added.